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Accommodations and Online Learning

Many students with disabilities feel that studying online will be the solution to their accommodation needs. You may be considering online learning for the same reasons. What you need to be aware of is that online learning solves some problems while creating new ones, which may need different accommodations. You should enroll in an online course after you have taken the time to carefully consider the requirements of the course and your particular strengths and limitations.

Online learning creates the need for accommodations that are different from those needed for traditional, in-class courses.  Determining which accommodations to request is a unique process. Your request should be based on a review of the impact of your disability.  Disability affects each student in varying ways, depending largely on your ability to compensate for the effects of your disability. Areas of difficulty may be:

• Comprehending written instructions
• Participating in online discussions 
• Viewing and/or hearing online video postings
• Hearing online audio postings 
• Managing your time to complete assignments
• Other areas unique to your situation

All accommodations are determined on a case-by-case basis with the information you provide to the Student Disability Services (SDS) office (www.wne.edu/sds).

Is Online Learning For Me?

Ask yourself these questions:

How well do I manage my time?
The independent nature of online learning requires a firm grasp on the ability to manage your time. You will be required to set a regular study schedule, keep track of assignments and due dates, as well as participate in online discussions. This may be more difficult without regular, in-person reminders from an instructor. This requires discipline to ensure that the course is not forgotten in your day-to-day activities.

Does my disability affect my ability to process and comprehend written information?
For individuals with certain disabilities, managing the content, directions and discussion in an online course becomes increasingly difficult. Information in an online course is frequently delivered via written material on the course's web site. The instructor will not be immediately available to deliver the information orally or to provide clarification for any misunderstood concepts or assignments.

Will I need to utilize assistive technology to complete this course?
For some students with disabilities, the use of assistive technology is necessary. This can pose a challenge if some aspects of the online course management system are not compatible with the assistive technology you are using. We recommend that you try to use your assistive technology with the University’s course management system to identify any challenges that you will encounter while engaged in online learning.

How comfortable am I with computers and technology?
It is important to be aware of your current comfort level with technology and computers. Are you a digital native? Or are you a digital immigrant? Digital natives are those students who have grown up with computers, are quite agile in manipulating the technology and are comfortable using all forms of technology. Digital immigrants didn't grow up using technology.

What are my expectations for this online course?
It's important to be aware of your expectations of the online course. What kind of interaction are you expecting from the instructor? Are you expecting a lot of personal interaction or a little? Do you think that you will have a lot of writing to do or not as much? What information are you basing your expectations on? You should find out as much as possible about the format of the online course, the expectations the instructors have of you, and what you need to do to successfully complete the course. The more information you learn about the course prior to enrolling, the better you can determine if online learning is for you.

If you are unsure of what accommodations to request or would like more information about how to obtain disability related accommodations, please visit the SDS webpage at www.wne.edu/sds or contact the SDS office at (413) 782-1258.